Effect of Synthesis Temperature on the Morphology of ZnO Nanoparticles Obtained via a Novel Chemical Route

Abstract

ZnO as a semiconductor is used in many applications such as gas sensor devices,
laser and optoelectronic devices, photocatalysts, solar cells, and varistors. The applications
and properties of ZnO nanoparticles highly depend on the size and morphology of these
particles. In this research ZnO nanoparticles were prepared via chemical bath deposition at
various temperatures in order to see the effects of synthesis temperature and also 2-
methoxyethanol (2-ME) as a novel solvent on the morphology of obtained nanoparticles. For
synthesizing of ZnO nanostructured materials, 2-ME has been highly used in sol-gel process
but it is the first time that it is used in the chemical bath deposition process. For this purpose 1
M solutions of zinc acetate dehydrate in 2-ME were prepared and added to the solution of
NaOH in the same solvent dropwisely. Monoethanolamine (MEA) was used as surfactant.
The synthesis temperatures were 30°C, 60°C and 90°C. After filtering and drying,
morphologies of obtained nanoparticles were characterized and compared.